Our guide to this year's Readings Young Adult Prize shortlist, based on your previous reads
Are you finding it hard to decide which title on the 2023 Readings Young Adult Prize shortlist to read? Well this guide will help you choose based on books you've previously read and loved!
If you loved Wuthering Heights...
Where You Left Us by Rhiannon Wilde
An evocative YA mash-up that’s like Wuthering Heights meets Sherlock Holmes, with Taylor Swift’s Evermore as the soundtrack.
Sisters Cinnamon and Scarlett are home for the summer, looking after their father who’s suffering from a longstanding mental illness. Cinnamon is angry she has to be there, and Scarlett is anxious about everything. When they start investigating the disappearance of their great aunt Sadie, it brings even more mysteries to the surface.
This story of sisters, family, and romance will be loved by ages 13+.
If you devoured Dune...
Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim
The first book in an epic and action-packed fantasy series, set in an Arabian-inspired land.
Imani lives in a secret city in a world where spice awakens magical affinities in humans. Her affinity is with iron, and she is an incredible swordsmith. Her brother disappeared after stealing the powerful spice and is presumed dead. When Imani discovers he may be alive and betraying their secrets, she must find him before it’s too late.
Epic fantasy for ages 13+.
If you couldn't put Heartstopper down...
Dancing Barefoot by Alice Boyle
Beautifully written with a natural laugh-out-loud humour, Dancing Barefoot encapsulates the angst and seemingly apocalyptic emotions teenagers feel towards love.
Patch has been secretly in love with her school’s female basketball star, Evie, for the past four years. But when they are thrown together after an unfortunate accident involving an ink pen, she feels equal parts exhilarated, terrified, and confused. She’s also dealing with a school bully, a friend transitioning, and a potential new stepmother.
This is a delightful queer romance for ages 13+.
If you're a fan of Ghost Bird...
The Upwelling by Lystra Rose
A glorious, time-and genre-bending adventure through past and present-day Australia.
Written in three distinct voices, this time-slip adventure story is a fascinating deep dive into traditional First Nations’ culture prior to colonisation. It’s also a thrilling quest where three teenagers, each with their own unique gift, must work together and fight to save their world from evil spirits.
An exciting exploration of ancient Australia for ages 13+.
If you connected with Leah on the Offbeat...
Completely Normal (and Other Lies) by Biffy James
A gripping contemporary YA novel that’s as witty and sarcastic as it is tender and moving.
Stella is infatuated with the best-looking guy in school, Isaac, and he likes her too. But he already has a girlfriend – popular and gorgeous Grace. When Isaac dies in a car accident, Stella must grieve in private whilst Grace publicly mourns. Confusingly, Stella is also developing a friendship with Grace.
This is a hilarious yet wise story about big questions in life for ages 13+.
If Iron Widow kept you wanting more...
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
A charming romantic comedy that explores class, societal expectations and what it means to be truly seen.
Set at an elite international school in Beijing, scholarship kid Alice discovers she can randomly turn invisible for short periods. She decides to monetise this strange new power and recruits the help of her handsome nemesis, Henry, to create an app where people anonymously pay her to solve their problems.
Cue a burgeoning romance alongside some tricky moral dilemmas for ages 12+.
Still can't decide? Why not grab all six books on the 2023 shortlist in a specially priced pack! You can buy this pack in-store or online for the special price of $105.99 (was $131.94).